KEY POINTS:
Any traveller knows tipping can be a tricky business. And what might be enough for a polite taxi driver in Bangkok is not the same as a perhaps more worldly one in Manhattan.
Getting it wrong can potentially spoil a holiday, as anybody who has felt the wrath of an American taxi-driver or waiter can tell you.
Malcolm O'Brien, manager of Lonely Planet's feedback division Talk2Us, offers a combination of personal advice combined with tidbits from his team's fount of travelling knowledge.
Every country has its own tipping culture so, before taking off, O'Brien says it is essential to suss out tipping protocol from a reliable source. "The Lonely Planet website and guidebooks offer a good indication of tipping culture," he says. Doing this research ensures that you step off on the right foot in your holiday destination.
On arrival, seek advice from the horse's mouth. O'Brien suggests quizzing trustworthy locals about tipping expectations. And hotel staff can also be a reliable resource.
"In some instances there are different tipping expectations between travellers and residents because of the perceived wealth of tourists,"he says.
As a general rule, in the United States tipping isn't optional because most people in service industries are paid a measly minimum wage.
But Lonely Planet advises, you shouldn't tip if service is truly appalling - in fact a complaint to the manager is probably warranted if that's the case.
A rough guide to tipping would be: tip porters a dollar or two for each bag; tip concierges nothing for simple information like directions, but US$5 ($6.60) to US$20 for things such as securing hard-to-get concert tickets; housekeeping staff get a dollar or two a day for each guest, waiters and bartenders should be tipped 15 to 20 per cent of the pre-tax bill and taxi drivers get 10 to 15 per cent.
Others say 20 per cent on top of the bill is more the norm these days in top-end American restaurants.
One US hotel website says in New York, the toughest of US cities, the customary tipping rate for taxi drivers is 15-20 per cent, with a minimum of US$2; "bellhops" are usually given US$2 a bag in luxury hotels, US$1 a bag elsewhere. Hotel maids should be tipped US$2 a day of your stay.
A doorman who hails or helps you into a cab can be tipped US$1 to $2. You should also tip your hotel concierge for services rendered; the size of the tip depends on the difficulty of your request, as well as the quality of the concierge's work.
For an ordinary dinner reservation or tour arrangements, US$3 to $5 should do; if the concierge scores seats at a popular restaurant or show or performs unusual services (getting your laptop repaired, finding a good pet-sitter, and so on), US$10 or more is appropriate.
Many restaurants add a gratuity to the bill for parties of six or more. Ask what the percentage is if the menu or bill doesn't state it. Tip US$1 for each drink you order at the bar, though if at an upscale establishment, those US$15 martinis might warrant a US$2 tip, the website says.
In Britain and most of continental Europe, tipping follows a similar fashion as in Australia - it's customary, but not compulsory, if you think the service warrants it, and 10 per cent of the bill is usually enough.
When it comes to hotel porters, a few dollars should suffice for great service and when taking a cab, it is courteous to leave the change.
Likewise in New Zealand.
Across most of Asia, tipping is not essential but is appreciated - although in Japan it's generally still not the done thing.
"In India, more often than not, you tip not so much for good service but in order to get things done," Lonely Planet says.
Personal experience suggests to O'Brien that generosity has been rewarded during his travels.
"Tipping staff can get you better service," he says.
And, obvious as it sounds, he warns, "make sure you have a good sense of the currency you are using to make sure that the tip you leave is appropriate".
His final tipping tip, "If you can afford it, do leave a tip, just think of the karma".
- AAP
